
Scouting Report: Nicolo Barella
Well, we might as well start looking hard at the alternatives to Jude Bellingham then. After the news struck a devastating blow to the fanbase, all the major journalists led with the same angle, that Liverpool are looking at other alternatives due to the finances involved for a summer rebuild. Whilst it is right to say that the club have been foolish and embarrassed themselves with what’s been released, the alternatives that have been named shouldn’t be viewed as disappointing. …

The quiet man - Liverpool's acquisition of Takumi Minamino
In the 56th-minute of Liverpool's 4-3 win over Red Bull Salzburg at Anfield, Hee-Chan Hwang exploited the space on the left. Hwang wrapped his foot around the ball and put in a cross which would find its way to Takumi Minamino. The 24-year-old had been calling for it, arms raised, as he raced towards Liverpool's penalty area. With the pass travelling probably 40 yards to reach him, Minamino still had plenty of work to do. He kept his eyes on …

Joe Gomez and the Need for Patience
On Sunday, Joe Gomez made his long-awaited Premier League debut at centre back for Liverpool. Signed from Charlton back in 2015 with an eye to a future as a Liverpool centre-back, Gomez has so far followed the well-trodden path for youthful centre back prospects at Anfield - playing at fullback.
This path has often been a problematic one, with Jamie Carragher the only player I can think of who has successfully carved out a first-team spot at centre back after …

Leon Bailey and that "Concrete Interest"
With the breaking news this morning that Bailey himself confirmed Liverpool have a “concrete interest” in him, I decided to follow on from my pieces on Fekir & Pulisic with a look at the Leverkusen star, Leon Bailey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfzKDAPd9VY
Above: Reliable Bundesliga journalist, Old Gregg, hinting at a move to Liverpool.
My mind wandered this morning to that exact moment I fell in love with him, as a player. I had seen him a few times, mostly in cameos or a …

The Rejuvenated Role of Daniel Sturridge
‘It’s only pre-season. It’s only pre-season.’
That’s what the two Manchester City and Manchester United were left clamouring about, desperately trying to save face after Liverpool brushed them aside with 2-1 and 4-1 wins respectively.
Indeed, the US tour has been a success, with one of the keys to the promising form being a player perceived by many to be surplus to requirements at Anfield.
Daniel Sturridge’s departure from the club appeared to have been in the works some time …

Nabil Fekir: The Perfect Fourth Man?
Liverpool are on the march to Kiev.
Amidst the blitzkrieg of goals, celebrations and stunning attacking tsunamis, however, is quite the stark realisation. Liverpool got to the Champions League final off the back of a scintillating, devastating, and unparalleled front three, with a lion tamer of a manager orchestrating their rise to potential infamy.
But there needs to be a fourth.
Phil Coutinho once rounded out the quartet, and the signing of Mohamed Salah was an excellent one solely for …

Roberto Firmino: The Most Underrated Player In The Premier League?
Liverpool have played home to some illustrious talents over the years: Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez are names that roll straight off the tongue while other far more under-appreciated stars lie in wait.
Dirk Kuyt was very much of that ilk. Far from the most technically gifted player at the club, the Dutchman was always up for the big occasion, scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea back in 2007 …

Serial Captain & Audi Cup Runner Up: What is a Jordan Henderson?
Jordan Henderson. League Cup Winner 2012, Europa League Runner Up 2016, Audi Cup Runner Up 2017 & Serial Young Player of the Year Award Winner. His honours list reads like a small pack of Revels.
Yet somewhat amazingly, despite continuing to divide opinion and never really cementing his position as a winner, Henderson is a man who continues to defy critics and has somehow managed to work himself into the role of Captain for both club and country.
For Liverpool, …

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Jurgen's Reds
Another day, another signing.
Chamberlain looked destined to join Chelsea a few days ago after Arsenal agreed on a fee in the region of £40million for the midfielder. However, with his heart firmly set on a move to Liverpool, the 24-year-old snubbed the Premier League Champions, and 220k per week, to link up with Jurgen Klopp.
Admittedly, there’s been a mixed bag in terms of reaction, with the club’s pursuit of Thomas Lemar gauging more interest, but signing Oxlade-Chamberlain this …

Andy Robertson - The Solution At Left-Back?
So we’re all in agreement then? Andy Robertson is the best left-back who ever lived and will go on to win the Ballon D’or for Liverpool? Yes? Yes. Good. Glad that’s cleared up.
In all seriousness, I didn’t expect to see Robertson just yet. He hadn’t played much for the Reds in pre-season and Klopp had previously indicated that he was still settling in. I figured that maybe he'd return after the international break, which was why it was a …